Entry #34 - 11.15.5503

It's been five months, by linear terrestrial measure, since the disaster in the Hendra sector caused a destructive ripple in time/space (see Journal entry #30) -- five months of temporal reverberations that have had us running into ourselves at every turn; fearing for Mar's survival following her fragmentation by the roving temporal wave. It's been five months of hell, but things are finally getting back to "normal." The ripple has fully dissipated and Sona has reported success at reintegrating Mar's dimensional beings -- all 23,463 of them. The old lady is finally coming home and reconstruction of the Central City labs is back on track.

And it's been two years (also by terrestrial measure) since we launched this site and made our existence, and mission, known. Two years of striving to make headway protecting the universe while battling Hershel and his rotten hench-rats -- an evil triumvirate intent on our ultimate destruction. It's been two years of struggle that have made us stronger, but have also taken a toll. Our energies are waning -- our resolve, at times, wavering. It's exhausting being guardians of continuing universal existence...

***

Last night I dreamt I was standing atop a stone tower in the midst of a sprawling urban park. It was late at night and lights blazed in far-off windows of tall, densely packed buildings around the park. The air was crisp and still; the park was a patchwork of shadows cast by a cool moon lighting the trees. And there I stood, a child in fear of the dark, in the company of a man -- myself at a greater age.

"We have to leave! We have to get out!" The child was imploring with increasing distress. There was hidden danger in the woods -- a palpable evil. But the man ignored the call. He seemed lost and confused. He appeared to be looking for something, though he didn't' seem to know what -- he'd left the tower and was aimlessly searching the woods, the child trailing and repeating the call. But to no avail...I woke, shivering, in a film of clammy sweat, unable to fall back asleep.

***

The sun finally rose about an hour ago, and it looks like it's going to be a beautiful mid-autumn day -- despite last night's disturbing dream I seem to be feeling oddly optimistic. There's a gentle wind blowing in from the east, bearing a subtle scent of salt from the far-off seas -- I find myself eagerly anticipating whatever lay ahead. Perhaps it's Mar's imminent return that has me gladdened -- or thoughts of diving that have been sparked by the ocean breeze.

Whatever it is, it's a welcome change from the general malaise I've been suffering of late.